Doing The Right Thing

Published: Sunday, May 02, 1999

WITH ALL OF THE mayhem and problems in the world and all of the news about the taxing and spending of millions -- in some cases billions -- of dollars, it would not seem like a story about $3.25 would make much of an impact.

But we believe the story of second-grader Chas Quisenberry carries a huge significance, and we hope that it will be inspirational to parents on a wide scale.

Young Mr. Quisenberry went to an Avalanche-Journal newspaper machine outside a local restaurant a week ago to buy a newspaper for his father. The machine malfunctioned and returned $3.25 in extra change.

A waitress' words reflected the attitude we would expect from most of the world: "It's your lucky day," she said, according to Chas' father.

The next day, Chas set about getting the money back. He contacted The A-J circulation department and left a message.

He was just acting the way his parents taught him, he said. "It's just 'cause I wanted to do the right thing. It was y'all's money."

The right thing. Those three words sum up two precious qualities bestowed on Chas by his parents that will benefit him throughout his life: the knowledge of right and wrong and the character to go in the right direction.

When Chas is faced with temptations and difficult choices later in life -- as all people are -- he will know the correct way to turn, and we believe that he will have the moral strength to make that turn.

Good citizens are made, not born. Parents who see the value of instilling character in their children are wise. One of the most important things they can teach them is "the right thing."